Trump slams Fauci's pitching as 'more accurate than his prognostications' after doc says Trump is 'asking for trouble'
Mollie Mansfield
Oct 13 2020, 11:07 ET
Updated: Oct 13 2020, 23:27 ET
DONALD Trump slammed Dr Anthony Fauci's pitching as "more accurate than his prognostications" after the doctor said the president is "asking for trouble."
The president made the comments while responding to a CNN interview where Fauci praised the coronavirus task force's effort during the pandemic.
Fauci and Trump have been feuding recentlyCredit: AP:Associated Press
Trump tweeted: "Actually, Tony's pitching arm is far more accurate than his prognostications. "No problem, no masks". WHO no longer likes Lockdowns - just came out against. Trump was right. We saved 2,000,000 USA lives!!!"
The president was referencing a viral video of the coronavirus doctor which circulated back in July.
The disease expert made his baseball debut by throwing the ceremonial first pitch for the Washington Nationals, who are the defending world champs.
Previously, the White House Task Force member – and baseball fan – admitted that he was apprehensive about his pitching skills, however.
Fauci has been a key doctors in the coronavirus task forceCredit: Splash News
"I'm quite nervous about it," Fauci told the Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, who is sitting out the season in light of Covid-19.
"Okay, well don't worry about it," Zimmerman responded during the interview. "If you bounce it, there's nobody there to boo you. So, you'll be good to go."
In the footage, Fauci uses his right arm to throw the ball and quickly sends it wayward.
Trump and Fauci have recently been feuding after the doctor said his words were twisted in an advert for the president's campaign.
Trump was referencing Fauci's wayward throwCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The moment went viral back in JulyCredit: USA TODAY Sports
Fauci said his comments were taken out of context in the new Presidential Election campaign video focusing on Trump's battle with Covid-19.
The 30-second ad - which has been aired in Michigan state, covers Trump's personal experience with the virus and uses a quote from Fauci in an attempt to make it appear as if he is praising Trump's response.
"President Trump is recovering from the coronavirus, and so is America," the ad's narrator says.
"Together we rose to meet the challenge, protecting our seniors, getting them life-saving drugs in record time, sparing no expense."
But the ad then flashes to an interview with Fauci in which he says: "I can't imagine that anybody could be doing more."
However, the clip of Fauci was originally from March and appears to refer to the entire federal health effort to battle the virus, rather than the efforts of the president alone.
When asked if he gave consent to being featured in the advert, the senior adviser told CNN in a statement: "In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate.
"The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials."
Dr Anthony Fauci